2012 Blue Jays, a fans primer: The pitch for a perfect game in Toronto

2012 Toronto Blue Jays, a fans primer: The pitch for a perfect game at Rogers Centre

By Justin Go

Didn’t get tickets to the long sold-out Toronto Blue Jays home opener on April 9? Not to worry, there are 80 more home games to attend at the Rogers Centre this season. Follow these tips from a cross-section of local baseball fans and you won’t care if you never get back from the old ball game.

PRE-GAME SCOUTING REPORT

• “I only go when the roof is cracked. It’s depressing otherwise. I always make the mistake of thinking I’ll be able to walk right up to the booth to buy tickets, but end up waiting 10 to 15 minutes in line — never go to the Bremner Boulevard ticket booths and NEVER buy from scalpers — causing me to miss the top of the first inning.” — Joseph Reed, manager, The Film Buff East

• “The best time to go to see a game is midweek, especially during the non-Yankees/Red Sox games. A smaller crowd equals better seats and less jerks there just going to get drunk. Most likely you’ll be sitting next to knowledgeable fans, which increases the experience.” — MK Piatkowski, frequent online baseball commentator, Twitter @mkpiatkowski

• “Park your car at Simcoe Place (200 Front St. W.) for convenience and value. … A hot summer weekend day game, complete with a cold beer and an open roof is right up there for my ‘perfect game’ scenario. But of course, a pennant-clinching September win would trump all. The Rogers Centre gets a bad rap, but when the park is full and loud, it can be great.” — Kieran Roy, general manager, Arts & Crafts Productions

• April 14 and 28 see the return of Saturday 4 p.m. start times, for those who like to sleep in.

THE BEST SEATS IN THE HOUSE*

• “There’s a section where there’s a significant price break in the 100s. Somewhere down the baselines you’ll see that there’s a bunch of people pushed up against one aisle and then the next section’s empty” (sections 114-115 and 128-129 sell for $44-$52 compared to $60-$71 for seats in the section right next to them) — Andrew Stoeten, Drunk Jays Fans blog

• “We like section 518 ($11-$14). It is a good perch to watch the game. We have also watched a few games from one of the stadium’s hotel suites. If you get enough guys, the savings on beer almost makes it worthwhile. Plus you have a place to crash if you choose to go out downtown.” — Will Kopplin, Opera Bob’s Public House, 1112 Dundas St. W.

• “I mostly buy tickets to the 500 level, roughly behind home plate (sections 523-525, $11-$14), for a sweet spot of affordability, angle and off-colour fan commentary. If you want to experience ‘Toronto the Bland,’ by all means buy a ticket somewhere in the 100 level.” — Joseph Reed

• “I tend to favour the 100- and 500-level seats. The former offers the best views and sunshine, while the latter leaves some cash in the wallet toward those famous $12 beers.” — Kieran Roy

*Watch out for premium-priced games, which reflect the higher end of the ticket prices noted here. See schedule at torontobluejays.com for details.

Extra tips:

• For a unique perspective, get reasonably priced tickets ($24-36) in the 100 level outfield behind the bullpens (sections 135-137 for the Jays and sections 106-108 for the opposing team) to watch the relief pitchers warming up … or just sitting around if the starter’s having a good game.

BUY ME SOME PEANUTS AND CRACKER JACK … AND A BEER

• “All the good food is in the 100s — I particularly like the wings from Quaker Steak & Lube (section 134) — as are the surprisingly reasonable mixed drinks. Ah, for the day the 500-level fans aren’t treated like second-class citizens. Although to be fair, there has been some effort made to get better food there. But not all of us drink beer.” — MK Piatkowski

• “Far too many people don’t realize you can bring food into the game (Rogers Centre allows packaged food and drinks in containers no larger than 600 mL into the stadium). If you are stuck inside, the roast beef guy near the Jays Shop on the 100 level (Roundhouse Carvery and Bar, section 122) is one of your best bets. Beer at the game is a tough one: You don’t want to break the bank by spending too much on beer, but the game doesn’t feel right without some beer — police yourself. Try as well to make friends with the vendor early on, and tip him/her. It can get thirsty up in the 500s if you don’t.” — Will Kopplin

• “Never get beer from scrawny dudes who are walking up and down the aisles with beer because they never have ice in their buckets. You get warm beer from them. … Get it from the ‘more athletic’ beer salesmen.” — Dustin Parkes, Getting Blanked blog

• Buy a hotdog from one of the many vendors outside the Rogers Centre for a fraction of the stadium’s prices.

ROOT, ROOT, ROOT FOR THE HOME TEAM

• “The best fans are engaged in the game. I shake my head every time fans go nuts for a lame promotional giveaway, but sit on their hands during a crucial at bat.” — Kieran Roy

• “You have to put off your coolness for a day and do stupid things like dance and clap for songs. It makes it more fun.” — Dustin Parkes

• “Don’t do the wave. Especially if it’s two outs in the 8th inning and you’re trying to watch a crucial at bat, don’t stand up and flail your arms in front of the person behind you who might actually be interested in the baseball game. … And yell at the opposing players. Tell them that they have moustaches even if they don’t have moustaches. It’s the ultimate insult.” — Andrew Stoeten

POST-GAME ANALYSIS

• “Bar Wellington (520 Wellington St. W.) has really good Caesars. You get that bad beer taste from the stadium and a spicy Caesar washes it all away.” — Dustin Parkes

• “There is some bias here, but I like to hit Opera Bob’s for a few to debrief on the game.” — Will Kopplin

• “I have come to realize that, despite my love for the team, it is my love for the game that wins out in the end. Sure, when the Jays lose and I teem out from the park with thousands of disappointed fans, it’s a bit of a letdown. But as I bike thirstily toward friends waiting at The Embassy (223 Augusta Ave.) or The Press Club (850 Dundas St. W.), I think of the possibilities. And that is what’s so wonderful about this game: Tomorrow is another day.” — Joseph Reed

FROM FAN TO FRONT OFFICE TO FAN AGAIN

As a lifelong fan, Postmedia’s Paul Godfrey has followed the Blue Jays from the outside — braving the cold April weather from the stands of Exhibition Stadium during the team’s debut in 1977 — and on the inside as the team’s president and CEO from 2000 to 2008. These days, he’s happy to take in a ball game with his sons and grandchildren amongst the crowd.

“Now when I go to games I have seats behind home plate,” he says. “When I worked there I had to sit in box seats because otherwise I wouldn’t be able to watch the game. I would hear from the fans about what management should do or who should be traded, and how much they hate, are OK with or love the job that I’m doing. And sometimes all three from the same person!”

As for his tips, Godfrey advises families to arrive at the games early to catch batting practice, giving kids a chance to meet with players. He also recommends staying for the whole game, because you never know what might happen.

“It always puzzles me why people leave early. When they get up to go in the middle of the seventh inning of a close game, I don’t know why they do that,” he says. “This team is a great group of guys who want to win for their hometown crowd.”

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